Stretching-frame.



WILLIAM cook, or BAKER CITY, OREGON.

STRETCHlNG-FRAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 24, 1906.

Application filed November 28, 1905. Serial No. 289,506.

operation, and has for its objects to provide a comparatively simple inexpensive device of this character which may be readily introduced into the pelt to be stretched and one whereby an eflicient stretching tension may be a plied to the skin. 1

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination .of parts, more fully hereinafter described.

- In the accompanying drawing, the figure is a view in side elevation of a stretcher embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawing, 1 1 designate a pair of stretching members or bars connected at their forward ends by means of a pair of links 2, pivoted at one end, respectively, to the bars and having their meeting ends pivoted together, as at 3, the upperends of the bars 1 being slidably dis osed in guide openings or slots 4, provide in a cross piece or bar 5, equipped with terminal engaging hooks 6, for a pur osewhich will presently appear,and rovi ed with a central bearing portion 7, wliile formed in each of the bars adjacent its rear end is a series of spaced 0 enings 7, designed to receive pins (not s own) for fixing the piece5 against rear- Ward movement relative to the bars.

Extended loosely throu h the bearing 7 is a tensioning element or To 8, provided at its rear end with aring 9 and having. its forward end swiveled in a coupling iece -or link 10, pivoted to and connecting t e adjacent ends of a pair of reversely-curved stretchingelements or links 11, in turn pivote at their outer ends, res ectively, to the bars 1, there being threade for movement on the rod 8 a block or head 12, provided with projectin portions or ears 13, to which are pivote reslpsctively, rear stretching elements 'or lin 14, ivoted at their outer ends separately to t e bars 1. The links 14 are fulcrumed at points between their ends, respectively, upon the forward ends of rigid bars or links 15, pivotally engaged at their rear ends with the crosspiece 5, while pivoted to the inner ends of inks 11 are crossed members 17, in turn pivoted at their forward ends, respectively, to the bars 1.-

In practice the device is introduced into the skin to be stretched and the rod 8 rotated, thus feeding the head 12 rearward upon the screw-threaded portion of the rod and causing thelinks 14 to rock upon their fulcrums for movin the rear ends of the bars 1 outward, whi e at the same time motion is imparted to the links 11 and 17 for moving the forward ends of the bars outward, as will be readily understood, it being noted that during the movement of the bars to stretching position the links 2 swin on the'pivot 3 and the rear endsof the are slide in the guide-openings 4, Attention is directed to the fact that the bars 1 are curved inwardly toward each other at their forward ends and that the links 2 are correspondingly curved and so disposed normally t at they form, in effect, continuations of the bars 1, whereby the latter present a reduced pointed end for ermittin r ready introduction of the stretc er into the pelt. Applied around and housing the screw 8 is a tubular shield or casing 18, preferably formed in two sections and having longitudinal guide openings or slots 19 to permit proper play of the links 14, this shield serving in practice to prevent the screw becoming entangled with and injuring the fur on the skins being treated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is In a device of the class described, a pair of stretcher-bars adapted for relative movement to and from stretching position, a cross-piece having guides for said bars and a bearing, two sets of pressure-links pivotally connected with the bars, a pressure-screw extended through said bearing and operatively engaged with one'set of links, and a head threaded for movement on the screw and enga ed with the other set of links.

if testimony whereof I affix my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM COOK.

Witnesses:

W. LEO BEUDNEAUX, A. F. GAY. 

